HUM 221: Hints (industrial strength) for final exam

You'll have three questions:

A 50-point essay about "Smoke Signals." You'll be asked to decide how the stories of Victor and Thomas transcend the boundaries of their culture -- including "the rez" and jokes cars that only work in reverse because the other gears are stripped -- to explore universal themes ranging from forgiveness, fathers and sons, and Greek drama to "road movies." It'll be about the things we discuss in class today.

Question 2A (25 points). This is the same on all my finals: "What have you learned in HUM 221 that surprised you? What was your overall impression of Native American culture before you took the course? Has that impression changed as a result of your reading, class discussion and research for the course? What specific thing (or things) surprised you the most? Why? What do you think was the most important point made in the course. As always, cite specific evidence - in this case, while discussing what you learned in the course. Your grade on the essay will depend on the specific evidence you cite."

Question 2B (25 points). Will be about the poem “Two Heart Clan” by Duane Big Eagle in our poetry book, "Native American Poems and Songs." Here's the question: Write a 250- to 300-word reader response in which you tell: (1) your response to and interpretation of the poem; (2) what in your cultural background, taste, attitudes, etc., makes you feel that way about it; and (3) what specific passages in the poem are grounded in Duane Big Eagle’s culture but still convey meaning across cultural boundaries. Be specific. Always be specific.